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Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)
Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)
Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)

Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)

Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.70.142.7_L_270_19_print_bw.jpg)

Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.70.142.7_L_270_19_print_bw.jpg)

Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.70.142.7_kev09.jpg)

Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.70.142.7_kev09.jpg)

Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.70.142.1-.12_NegGRPA_print_bw.jpg)

Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.70.142.1-.12_NegGRPA_print_bw.jpg)

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Bracteate

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The Achaemenid rulers of ancient Persia favored images of lions with their mouths open in a snarl or roar. On these gold jewelry
elements, the lions are shown complete or as heads only, in both fairly realistic and highly decorative forms. The gold head of a bull, another dangerous animal, seems almost placid in comparison. The pin decorated with an ibex, or wild mountain goat, was used to fasten garments.
This text refers to these objects: 70.142.7; 70.142.6; 70.142.8; 70.142.10; 70.142.11; 1998.25
CULTURES Achaemenid; Persian
MEDIUM Gold
  • Possible Place Made: Ecbatana (modern day Hamadan), Persia (modern day Iran)
    • DATES 6th–5th century B.C.E.
    PERIOD Persian Achaemenid Period
    DIMENSIONS 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 70.142.7
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold bracteate. A bull's head in profile. Modeled in repoussé. The neck is covered with round bosses raised from the base sheet. Three rings for attachment are fastened on the reverse. Condition: Excellent.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Achaemenid. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg.
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Achaemenid. <em>Bracteate</em>, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 11/16 × 15/16 in. (1.7 × 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.7. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)

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